Perini Holds Position

Hamilton Island Farr 40 Australian Championship 2006

Sydney, Australia

Day two of the Hamilton Island Farr 40 Australian Championship and the 13 boat Farr 40 fleet were eager to get racing underway. Overnight leader and defending champion Richard PERINI sailed a consistent day with a first and two seconds to remain in front.

Three general recalls for the start of race four of the series and they were heading up the course in the 12 knot sou' Easter. The lumpy conditions from yesterday had settled to provide fantastic conditions. Matt ALLEN'S Ichi Ban took the gun in the first race of the day after pulling initial leader Ivan WHEEN'S Sputnik back. Overnight leader Richard PERINI'S Evolution kept in contact with ALLEN to slip into second and WHEEN completed the top three. 'We're pretty happy with where we are placed. It's great to have the 13 boats racing and each race is really close,' commented ALLEN.

Race five and David URRY'S War Games and Leon CHRISTIANAKIS'S Cydon jumped the gun and were called back to restart. The remainder of the fleet headed upwind with a wide spread across the course. PERINI dominated the race to lead from start to finish with Michael MILNE'S Blacksnake following suit and holding second position for the entire race. ALLEN also mimicked the top two boats and maintained third for the entire race. 'We had a solid day on the water today and the crew work was exemplary,' said tactician Hamish PEPPER.

MILNE followed in PERINI'S footsteps from the previous race and led the fleet around the two lap windward leeward course. PERINI stuck to MILNE like glue to finish ten seconds behind in second with Allen improving from fourth to finish up third. 'Our starts today made the difference and we were able to sail our own race. Michael steered really well and Matt CHEW, our mainsheet trimmer did a great job on the starts and the corners. The team effort was fantastic,' said Chris LINKS, tactician on Blacksnake.

Ray ROBERTS'S Quantum Racing sailed a consistent day to finish all three races in fifth and finish the day in third overall. Going into the last day of racing defending champion PERINI holds onto the front position with ALLEN still in touch six points behind. 'We pleased to be where we are after two days but there is still a day of racing to go,' remarked PERINI dockside.

Racing wraps up tomorrow with the title of Hamilton Island Farr 40 Australian Championship 2006 being awarded along with the winner of the Australian Farr 40 Circuit 2005-2006.